John Munson/The Star-LedgerHall of Famers and current All-Stars line up before the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. BRONX, NY 7/15/08

NEW YORK -- If this is really the end, if the All-Star Game last night was truly the final moment in the spotlight for Yankee Stadium, then this old ballpark has one great sense of humor.

If this is really her last hurrah on center stage in baseball, then the 85-year-old stadium is giggling all the way to the wrecking ball ... and the punch line to her jokes, of course, are the home team's hated rivals.

There was Jonathan Papelbon -- the Red Sox closer who dared to suggest that he, and not the revered Mariano Rivera, should close the game for the American League -- giving up a crucial unearned run in the eighth inning and leaving the mound to a chorus of boos.

There was Billy Wagner, a pitcher who has the unfortunate distinction of playing for that other team in town, promptly coughing up that one-run lead for the National League in the bottom of the eighth and leaving the mound to a chorus of snickers and giggles.

John Munson/The Star-LedgerBilly Wagner reacts to giving up the game-tying hit to Evan Longoria in the 8th inning during the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. BRONX, NY 7/15/08

There was David Wright, the third baseman for that same unnamed team, whiffing twice in late-inning situations with a chance to be a hero, although he did lead off the 13th inning with a bloop single to center.

Turns out, the stadium has a long memory. Dan Uggla plays second base for the Florida Marlins, the last visiting team to win a World Series on this field. He booted two ground balls in the 10th inning to set up a bases-loaded jam. He might never be allowed on the All-Star ballot again.

Somehow, the National League got out of it. Turns out, Yankee Stadium decided not to give up this spotlight without a fight. She milked every last possible moment out of a marathon All-Star Game, keeping those 49 Hall of Fame players here for a couple extra hours to appreciate the place.

It was not a great game. Not even close. With all the teary tributes before the game, it was easy to forget that, over the course of those eight decades, there have been some real stinkers played on these hallowed grounds, some coming in the bigger moments like this one.

Still, there was enough drama. Papelbon is an excellent closer. Rivera is a better one and a Yankee Stadium legend. There was no question who would get the ball with the game on the line in this one, even if AL and Boston manager Terry Francona refused to announce as much before the game.

But Papelbon decided to stir things up, and when the Daily News put the headline "Papelbum!" on the back page, the New York fans had a reason to make him Public Enemy No. 1, when really they didn't need a reason. He heard vulgar chants during the All-Star parade down Sixth Avenue, with his wife sitting at his side.

"It just (makes you mad) when your wife gets involved in that," Papelbon said, and yes, he chose saltier language. "You've got a wife who's pregnant and she doesn't feel safe riding with you in a red-carpet event like that? How would you feel? It just soured me on the whole thing."

Near the top of the list of soured players, add the name Billy Wagner. He came into the game in the eighth inning with a one-run lead, with two outs and nobody one base, to get just one out. A single, a stolen base and a double later, and the Mets closer had blown the lead and maybe a victory for the National League.

Even before the game started, the stadium was enjoying a few laughs. Major League Baseball decided to bring out George Steinbrenner -- the man, of course, who pushed to have her replaced -- on a golf cart during the pregame ceremonies. The expectation was a thunderous ovation.

Maybe the fans didn't realize what was going on. Maybe they didn't see the Boss motoring in from the outfield. Either way, the ovation was more like a steady but polite applause.

Whether the Boss made it to the end of this one is uncertain. It will go down as the longest All-Star Game in history. Kids were long ago tucked into bed when, at 1:37 a.m., Michael Young finally drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly. American League 4, National League 3.

Young may have been the star of the game. But the star of the night? The old stadium, of course. She kept everyone in those seats as long as possible.

After 85 years, you'd think you'd know a ballpark. Turns out, this one had a pretty good sense of humor.